Pressure cranked up on title-chasing Juve

MILAN: Just as Juventus have overhauled pace- setters Napoli in the race for the Serie A title, the Italian leaders are under increasing pressure as they head to Atalanta on Sunday.

The defending champions qualified for the Italian Cup final beating Inter Milan after extratime and penalties on Wednesday in what was described as a dreadful performance – by their own players.

“Tonight we played the worst ever game since I’ve been at Juventus,” said defender Leonardo Bonucci. “We were lucky to take it to penalties.”

While his side lead secondplaced Napoli by three points, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Thursday that Real Madrid were preparing to pounce for their coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Meanwhile, Giorgio Chiellini, Claudio Marchisio and Martin Caceres are all out injured for the Atalanta game, but goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, striker Mario Mandzukic and defender Patrice Evra should al l be back in action.

Goal- shy Atalanta managed a draw with Carpi last weekend to avoid getting sucked into a relegation battle, and immediately turned their sights to a win over Juventus.

“We must look forward and try to break this streak of games without a win as soon as possible,” said their Slovenian midfielder Jasmin Kurtic, after scoring his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw at Carpi.

“We conceded little or nothing in that match and created some opportunities we can build on.”

Title contenders Napoli, out of Europe and only three points behind Juventus, host mid-table Chievo. — AFP